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I was going to title this thread--"I'll probably be dead by tomorrow"but decided that might be interpreted as a wee bit of drama!

Many of you probably remember that I've been dealing with some significant problems with my back. My decision to deal with that problem is that surgery is the best way to go.

I have opted for the simplest choice I was given. We will not be fusing any of my vertebrae or replacing the disc which is nearly gone. That surgery would have been more extensive and invasive. From what I understand, it's quite likely the degenerative disc disease will eventually resolve itself. In the event it doesn't then I can think about a more aggressive treatment.

The surgery I am having will be focused specifically on the neurological issue. The surgeon will ream out around the nerve under the facet thereby "freeing" the nerve to travel through it's opening unimpeded.

No amount of acupuncture, massage therapy, or physical manipulation (chiropractor) was going to fix this problem. As I understand it, I've got bone where it isn't supposed to be. If this were a "soft tissue" issue then I would have been more open to other treatment options. This is a "hard tissue" situation.

I check into the hospital at 1:00 p.m. My surgery is scheduled for 3:00 p.m. They estimate I should come out of recovery at 6:00 p.m.

I'll be in the hospital for 2 - 3 days (although I was originally told it would be a "day or two" [lying bastards]) Whatever.

Then approximately 6 weeks of recuperation before I can begin all normal activities.

I've tried to do my homework on this. I've asked every question I could think of. I have one of the (if not the) best neurosurgeons in the city.

I feel I made the right choice.

Wish me luck and I'll be back in the blink of an eye.

Finally, let me say one other thing. To those who I have previously shared this decision with, I can't thank you enough for your love and support. You don't know what it has meant to me. But to a certain NAG who is already giving me orders, bite me lady!

My dad had this done about a year ago, its worked for him! Not much help I know, But I hope it relieves your pain and your recovery is as swift and hassle free as possible.Good luck,and hope I can give you a big hug that won't hurt very soonWill be thinking of youjox

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I know i'm going to enjoy the party in the afterlife, but do you all mind that I'm going to be VERY late!!!

I'll be thinking about you tomorrow and sending plenty of love, light and positive healing energy your way. I hope this is successful beyond your wildest hopes. Hang in there sweetie. Please update us as soon as you can.

"...health will finally be seen not as a blessing to be wished for, but as a human right to be fought for." Kofi Annan

Nymphomaniac: a woman as obsessed with sex as an average man. Mignon McLaughlin

HIV is certainly character-building. It's made me see all of the shallow things we cling to, like ego and vanity. Of course, I'd rather have a few more T-cells and a little less character. Randy Shilts

Just a few things to remember..(I forgot to mention them earlier today)

1..The IV is for saline..not Manhattens.

2..You cannot lock the Nurse/Orderly/Doctor in your room simply because you think they are cute.

And last but not least

3.. You do not throw a tantrum when the cute Nurse/Orderly/Doctor refuses you a bedbath..all you have to do is flash that smile and they will be putty in your hands, then you can lie back and enjoy those bedbaths...

Rab, I honestly hope that you recover quickly and completely. PLEASE do what the docs tell you insofar as recovery goes. Even if you feel like getting up and going through a normal routine.

Please let your body heal.

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"Many people, especially in the gay community, turn to oral sex as a safer alternative in the age of AIDS. And with HIV rates rising, people need to remember that oral sex is safer sex. It's a reasonable alternative."

In the short term stock up on the happy pain pills. In the long run, I'm betting you'll be glad you took the plunge and had the surgery.

Good luck...Mike

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"Get your medical advice from Doctors or medical professionals who you trust and know your history."

"Beware of the fortune teller doom and gloomers who seek to bring you down and are only looking for company, purpose and validation - not your best physical/mental interests."

"You know you all are saying that this is incurable. When the real thing you should be saying is it's not curable at the present time' because as we know, the great strides we've made in medicine." - Elizabeth Edwards

Will be thinking of you tomorrow (today?) for your surgery. You'll come thru it like a champ i'm sure. I'd come up and give you a bedbath myself, but i'm under strict doctor's orders to drink heavily and pop pain pills, um, i mean not to travel great distances.

I hope everything went well with your surgery. If they kept on schedule, you should be out of recovery by now. I don't know what the recuperation from this surgery is like, but I hope it's going to be comfortable and that you'll be climbing the steepest hills in San Francisco this September with zero pain.

I would have a Manhattan in your honor, but I am laying off the sauce this week because of the colonscopy next week.... so water with lemon is as good as I can do. I sure hope this procedure is going to bring you the relief you are looking for. It will be such a blessing to be rid of back pain. I will be keeping you in my thoughts and prayers and will be waiting for the good news of your recovery.

"Life in Lubbock, Texas, taught me two things: One is that God loves you and you're going to burn in hell. The other is that sex is the most awful, filthy thing on earth and you should save it for someone you love." - Butch Hancock, Musician, The Flatlanders

RAB, I'm happy the surgery went well! I wish you a speedy and uneventful recovery. I can't tell you how relieved I was to see Alan's update - you have been on my mind since I first saw this thread. I'm still sending plenty of love, light and positive healing energy your way.

"...health will finally be seen not as a blessing to be wished for, but as a human right to be fought for." Kofi Annan

Nymphomaniac: a woman as obsessed with sex as an average man. Mignon McLaughlin

HIV is certainly character-building. It's made me see all of the shallow things we cling to, like ego and vanity. Of course, I'd rather have a few more T-cells and a little less character. Randy Shilts

I just spoke to RAB, he's doing very well. His doctor actually sent him home today! This is a surprise, we thought he would be in a bit longer.....but he is strong, he is doing well, and you can pick up some nasty bugs in the hospital, so it's best he's at home.

I told him we all send love and well wishes for a speedy recovery, and hope that he is up and about very soon and begins to enjoy his 'new life' being pain-free.

Alan

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"Remember my sentimental friend that a heart is not judged by how much you love, but by how much you are loved by others." - The Wizard of Oz